Propagation vs Transmission
Propagation and transmission are two topics discussed in many fields. Though both topics seems to be similar, there are some differences between these two concepts. The concept of transmission is widely used in fields such as mechanics, telecommunication, electrical power supply, computer science, and even medicine. The concept of propagation is used in fields such as plant science, genetics, wave theory, radio communication etc. It is vital to have a proper understanding in these concepts in order to excel in such fields. In this article, we are going to discuss what transmission and propagation are, definitions of transmission and propagation, their applications, similarities of transmission and propagation, and finally the difference between transmission and propagation.
Transmission
Transmission is the process of sending something out or passing something on, from one person, place, or thing to another. The term ‘transmission’ takes different meanings when it applies in different fields such as data transmission, mechanics, medicine etc. In data transmission, it means the physical transfer of data over a point-to-point channel. These channels can be copper wires, optical fibers or wireless media, and data can be represented as an electromagnetic signal, an electrical voltage, radio wave, or microwave. Sending a short message via mobile phone is a simple application of transmission of data. In medicine, transmission is described as the process of passing of communicable disease from an infected individual or group to another. In mechanics, transmission is the process of transferring power from engine to the axle. In many motor vehicles, the energy generated in the internal combustion engine transmits to the drive wheels. Special Electronic equipment called transmitter is used in some fields such as broadcasting, mobile telecommunication and wireless computer networks for the transmission of signals.
Propagation
Propagation can be simply explained as the process of spreading. The term ‘propagation’ also takes different meanings when it applies in different fields such as wave theory, plant science and genetics. In wave theory, we discuss the propagation of waves. Wave propagation can be described as the ways in which waves travel. Many waves need a medium for the propagation, but for electromagnetic waves, propagation may occur in a vacuum as well as the material medium. Sometimes propagation is described as a multiplication or an increase of some process. Plant propagation is a proper example for propagation with an increase. Propagation is mainly discussed for factors like waves, light etc.
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What is the difference between Propagation and Transmission? • Transmission usually takes place between two parties, whereas propagation is a source only phenomenon. • There is a limited distance in transmission but propagation has no such limitation. Propagating distance depends on the initial conditions such as energy consists in a wave, disturbance from the medium etc. • In transmission, the physical state of the transmitted thing usually does not change while it is being transmitted. In propagation, some changes can occur while propagating. • Propagation is discussed mostly for waves, whereas transmission is discussed for power and signals.
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